'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎282] (391/496)

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lieved by small hamlets, surrounded with willows in the vicinity of a
winter torrent. The head of the pass is about one and a half miles distant
due north of the high peak called Kabeh Kazi, and which gives its name
to the whole range. From this point the extensive and fertile plain of
Mahidasht is seen, covered with the temporary villages and tents of the
nomade tribe of Sinjabi. This tribe is a comparatively rich one, if we
may judge from the number of the flocks that are seen browsing on the
slope of the mountain, and in the plain below. Descending into the
plain, we continued a direction of 67° ? at a more rapid pace, feeling some
relief after our late mountain scramble, at 6*30. The road taking a di
rection of east, the following bearings were observed : a small fortified
mound, probably an ancient tumulus, 20°, distant three miles; a small
walled town or village, 56°, seven miles distant; walled villages of
Ohargunish, with an ancient tumulus close to it, 125°. At 7*50 the
small, but at times impetuous, Mirikh was forded. This now insignifi
cant stream becomes deep and rapid in the winter. It rises in the plain
about sixteen miles due south of Mahidasht, and, passing that village,
continues a north direction until it meets the Kara-Su in the plain of
Kirmanshah. At 8T5, a small village at the foot of the low range of
Kamr-zard, bounding the Mahidasht plain to the eastward, became our
halting place for the night: a more miserable abode could scarcely be
met with by those unaccustomed to wayfaring in the east, than the one
we at present occupy, A raised platform of mud, on which the Khan or
Chief receives his guests, holds his councils, and dispenses justice, seeming
to be the most inviting spot the place afforded, was obligingly given up for
our accommodation. This was situated in a small enclosure, which boast
ed, besides the platform alluded to, of two small mud tenements, in which
were secluded from mortal gaze the females of the Khan’s family. The
area of this den was occupied by mules, cows, sheep, goats, horses, and
the other paraphernalia of a moving community; in addition to
the goods and passengers of a Persian caravan, which, among other
rare and live specimens of the “ genus homo, 9 bears, in not very
carefully sealed coffins, the corrupt remains of departed Shiahs on
their way to the holy shrine of the sainted Hussein at Kerbela for in
terment. The stench arising from the cattle, from these disgusting relics
of humanity, and from the accumulation of every species of filth in the
interior of the place, was sufficient in itself to render the attainment o
sleep a luxury to be desired. The evening meal which our saddle-bags
furnished, was hastily dispatched, when report was made of the non ai
rival of three of our servants that had preceded us. All was now bust e